Truck cab light safety lighting device

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices, and methods for replacing an existing truck cab braking light with an after-market or retrofit universal elongated light emitting diode (LED) light device which can easily replace existing truck cab rear facing brake lights, and do not require different types of light devices for different trucks, and can be rigidly sealed and seated against the rear of the truck cab with additional fasteners. The replacement light system can include three sets of printed circuit boards having LEDS (light emitting diodes) that can be independently operated or operated together, in different colors, such as but not limited to red and white color emissions in various operating conditions. Another embodiment can use an adhesive surface across the back of the replacement brake light system bordered by a compressible weather type strip. A peelable layer can cover the adhesive surface and be peeled off when the replacement light system is to be placed on the upper back portion of the truck cab. The installer can also use some or all of the existing fasteners that were used to hold the existing brake light system in place, in combination with the peel and stick layer.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/370,874 filed Mar. 29, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,514,146,which is incorporated by reference in its' entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to truck cab brake lights, and in particular tosystems, devices, and methods for replacing an existing truck cabbraking light with an after-market or retrofit universal elongated lightemitting diode (LED) light device which can easily replace existingtruck cab rear facing brake lights, and do not require different typesof light devices for different trucks, and can be rigidly sealed andseated against the rear of the truck cab with additional fasteners.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Trucks are often used on construction sites to deliver and retrievesupplies and materials, and when stopped often turn off their front andrear lights and brake lights on the rear of their trucks as well as therear facing brake lights on the upper rear of the truck cabs. A problemoccurs that the trucks are not easily visible when stopped when theirlights are turned off during these stops. As such, it can be dangerousto others when these trucks are stopped since their visibility can beseverely limited, especially in dark locations or during storms, and thelike.

Leaving on the truck vehicle's lights on may not be enough to bringattention to the stopped trucks. As such, there is a need to have extralights for bringing attention to a stopped truck vehicle to increase thevisibility of the stopped vehicle as well as for safety reasons.

Additionally, standard vehicle lights are usually limited to be used forbreaking, signaling or similar functions, and are not versatile to bringseparate attention to a stopped truck vehicle.

Over the years various types of products have been proposed forproviding extra lights to truck cab brake lights, but would not besatisfactory as an after-market product. U.S. Pat. No. 8,956,020 toGraves et al. describes an auxiliary lamp mounting adapter assembly forvehicles that include truck cabs. This adapter assembly requires therear brake light on the rear of the truck cab be removed and the openingin the back of the cab for the existing light being exposed. A newhousing having a main opening that generally matches and aligns with theexisting opening in the back of the truck cab. The new housing includesauxiliary lights to the right and/or left of the main opening. Theremoved brake light can be remounted through the main opening in the newhousing, and fastened to the cab, without having to use additionalfasteners, that can penetrate into the rear cab.

A problem with this adapter assembly is that by using the existing rearbrake light with this adapter assembly, the resulting light could appearto be an obvious modification to the existing brake light and not looklike original truck equipment.

Another problem is that many different types of adapter assemblies wouldneed to be manufactured for the different U.S. and foreign tucks, sincetruck cabs do not have identical brake lights on the back of their cabs.

Additionally, the auxiliary lights would require separate wiring thatmust connect to the existing wiring, and could cause problems if notproperly connected.

Still furthermore, by only using the existing brake light fasteners, thelonger replacement housing may not be properly sealed and seated againstthe truck cab, and could vibrate and separate during regular use. Thelarger replace housings could also cause the existing fasteners loosecausing water leaks into the cab.

Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the priorart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide systems,devices, and methods for replacing an existing truck cab braking lightwith an after-market or retrofit universal elongated light emittingdiode (LED) light device which can easily replace existing truck cabrear facing brake lights, and do not require different types of lightdevices for different trucks.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide systems,devices, and methods for replacing an existing truck cab braking lightwith an after-market or retrofit elongated light emitting diode (LED)light device which can easily replace existing truck cab rear facingbrake lights, and can be rigidly sealed and seated against the rear ofthe truck cab with additional fasteners.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide systems,devices, and methods for replacing an existing truck cab braking lightwith an after-market or retrofit elongated light emitting diode (LED)light device which would look like original equipment and not look likean aftermarket product.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide systems,devices, and methods for replacing an existing truck cab braking lightwith an after-market or retrofit elongated light emitting diode (LED)light device which is attachable by a peel and stick adhesive layer tothe rear of the truck cab.

An embodiment of the replacement light system for being attachable to anupper rear facing exterior portion of a truck cab, can include anelongated housing having a length substantially greater than a height,the housing having a front side and a rear side, the housing havinghousing fastener openings passing from the front side to the rear sideof the housing, a light support member having a front side and a rearside, the support member having support fastener openings passing fromthe front side to the rear side of the support member, a plurality ofLEDS (light emitting diodes) equally spaced apart from one anothermounted on the front side of the support member, and fasteners forattaching the light system to the upper rear facing exterior portion ofthe truck cab by attaching the fasteners through the housing fasteneropenings and the light support member fastener openings.

The replacement light system can further include a wire harness withpower cord and control lines extending from the rear side of the lightsupport member for connecting the plurality of LEDs to a vehicle powersupply.

The elongated housing can include an additional opening sized to fitover a rearwardly facing printed circuit board on the rear side of thelight support member. The additional opening can be offset from a middleportion of the elongated housing.

The replacement light system can further include a harness wire openingsized to receive the power line harness therethrough.

The replacement light system can further include an elongated lens coversized to fit over the front side of the light support member, theelongated lens cover having lens fastener openings, wherein thefasteners attaches the light system to the upper rear facing exteriorportion of the truck cab by attaching the fasteners through the lensfastener openings and the housing fastener openings and the lightsupport member fastener openings.

The fasteners can include: approximately six to approximately tenoverall fasteners. Up to approximately six additional fasteners can bedrilled into upper rear exterior portion of the truck cab for attachingthe replacement light system

The support member further can include a left printed circuit board, acenter printed circuit board and a right circuit board, each positionedside by side on the front side of the support member for controlling theLEDs mounted to each of the left printed circuit board and the centerprinted circuit board and the right circuit board.

The replacement light system can include a brake light operation statefor only activating the LEDs in a red color on the center printedcircuit board, when a truck brake is activated, and a truck bed lightoperation state for activating all the LEDS in a white color on the leftprinted circuit board and the center printed circuit board and the rightcircuit board, when a truck bed light is activated.

The replacement light system can include a weather seal located about aperimeter edge of the rear side of the support member and the upper rearfacing exterior portion of the truck cab.

A method of replacing an existing truck light located on an upper rearfacing exterior portion of a truck cab with a replacement truck lightsystem, can include the steps of removing the existing truck lightlocated on the upper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab,providing an elongated housing having a length substantially greaterthan a height, the housing having a front side and a rear side, thehousing having housing fastener openings passing from the front side tothe rear side of the housing, providing a light support member having afront side and a rear side, the support member having support fasteneropenings passing from the front side to the rear side of the supportmember, providing a plurality of LEDS (light emitting diodes) equallyspaced apart from one another mounted on the front side of the supportmember, providing fasteners, and attaching the replacement light systemto the upper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab by screwingthe fasteners through the housing fastener openings and the lightsupport member fastener openings into existing fastener openings in theupper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab.

The method can include the steps of drilling additional fasteneropenings into the upper rear facing exterior portion of a truck cab, andattaching the replacement light system to the upper rear facing exteriorportion of the truck cab by screwing the fasteners through the housingfastener openings and the light support member fastener openings intothe additional fastener openings and existing fastener openings in theupper rear exterior portion of the truck cab.

The drilling step can include drilling between approximately four toapproximately six additional fastener openings into the upper rearfacing exterior portion of a truck cab. In a preferred embodiment, sixadditional fastener openings can be drilled into the upper rear facingexterior portion of a truck cab.

The method can further include the steps of providing an elongated lenscover sized to fit over the front side of the light support member, theelongated lens cover having lens fastener openings, and attaching thereplacement light system to the upper rear facing exterior portion ofthe truck cab by screwing the fasteners through the lens fasteneropenings and the housing fastener openings and the light support memberfastener openings.

The method can include the step of providing a left printed circuitboard, a center printed circuit board and a right circuit board, eachpositioned side by side on the front side of the support member forcontrolling the LEDs mounted to each of the left printed circuit boardand the center printed circuit board and the right circuit board.

The method can include the steps of providing a brake light operationstate, and only activating the LEDs in a red color on the center printedcircuit board, when a truck brake is activated.

The method can include the steps of providing a truck bed lightoperation state and activating all the LEDS in a white color on the leftprinted circuit board and the center printed circuit board and the rightcircuit board, when a truck bed light is activated.

The method can include the steps of providing a reverse track bed lightoperation state, only activating the LEDS in a white color the centerprinted circuit board when the truck is put in reverse travel, andchanging the LEDS on the center printed circuit board from the whitecolor to the red color when the truck brake is activated after the truckin put in the reverse travel.

Another embodiment of replacement light system for being attachable toan upper rear facing exterior portion of a truck cab, can include anelongated housing having a length greater than a height, the housinghaving a front side and a rear side, the housing having housing fasteneropenings passing from the front side to the rear side of the housing, aplurality of LEDS (light emitting diodes) equally spaced apart from oneanother mounted on the front side of the light housing, and an adhesivesurface on the rear side of the housing, being covered by a peelablelayer, wherein the peelable layer is removed for allowing the housing tobe attached to the upper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cabby adhering the exposed adhesive surface to the upper rear facingexterior portion of the truck cab.

The replacement light system can include a wire harness with power cordand control lines extending from the rear side of the housing forconnecting the plurality of LEDs to a vehicle power supply.

The elongated housing can include plural openings passing from the frontside to the rear side of the housing, wherein existing fasteners from anexisting brake light system having been removed are usable to furtherattach the replacement light system in place.

The replacement light system can include a weather strip on the rearside of the housing about a perimeter of the adhesive surface on therear side of the housing.

The elongated housing can include a power line opening sized to receivethe power line harness therethrough.

The replacement light system can further include an elongated lens coversized to fit over the front side of the housing, the elongated lenscover having lens fastener openings, wherein existing fasteners attachthe housing to the upper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cabby attaching the fasteners through the lens fastener openings andthrough the housing.

The existing fasteners can include four existing fasteners or more orless, such as screws and bolts, and the like.

The housing can include a left printed circuit board, a center printedcircuit board and a right circuit board, each positioned side by side onthe front side of the support member for controlling the LEDs mounted toeach of the left printed circuit board and the center printed circuitboard and the right circuit board.

The replacement light system further comprising a brake light operationstate for only activating the LEDs in a red color on the center printedcircuit board, when a truck brake is activated, and a truck bed lightoperation state for activating all the LEDS in a white color on the leftprinted circuit board and the center printed circuit board and the rightcircuit board, when a truck bed light is activated.

The replacement light system further comprises a weather seal locatedabout a perimeter edge of the rear side of the support member and theupper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab.

A method of replacing an existing brake light located on an upper rearfacing exterior portion of a truck cab with a replacement truck lightsystem, the existing brake light having an existing brake light housingwith existing fasteners, comprising the steps of removing the existingfasteners holding the existing brake light housing in place on the upperrear facing exterior portion of the truck cab in order to remove theexisting brake light housing, providing the replacement brake lightsystem with an elongated housing having a length greater than a height,the length of the elongated housing extends longer than the existingtruck light housing that is being replaced by the existing brake lightsystem; the housing having a front side and a rear side, the housinghaving a plurality of LED (light emitting diodes) that pass lightthrough the front side of the elongated housing, and the rear sidehaving an adhesive surface, covered by a peelable layer, peeling thepeelable layer from the rear side of the elongated housing to expose theadhesive layer, and attaching the replacement brake light system againstthe upper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab by positioningand pressing the rear side of the brake light housing against the upperrear facing exterior portion of the truck cab.

The method can further include the steps of providing a weather stripabout a perimeter edge of the adhesive layer on the rear side of thebrake light housing, and compressing the weather strip while the rearside of the brake light housing is pressed against the upper rear facingexterior portion of the truck cab.

The method can further include the step of refastening the existingfasteners through opening in the brake light housing and into the upperrear facing exterior portion of a truck cab.

The method can further include the steps of providing an elongated lenscover sized to fit over the front side of the brake light housing, theelongated lens cover having lens fastener openings, and refastening theexisting fasteners through openings in both the elongated lens and thebrake light housing and into the upper rear facing exterior portion of atruck cab.

The method can further include the step of providing a left printedcircuit board, a center printed circuit board and a right circuit board,each positioned side by side on the front side of the support member forcontrolling the LEDs mounted to each of the left printed circuit boardand the center printed circuit board and the right circuit board.

The method can further include the steps of providing a brake lightoperation state, and only activating the LEDs in a red color on thecenter printed circuit board, when a truck brake is activated.

The method can further include the steps of providing a truck bed lightoperation state, and activating all the LEDS in a white color on theleft printed circuit board and the center printed circuit board and theright circuit board, when a truck bed light is activated.

The method can further include the steps of providing a reverse trackbed light operation state, only activating the LEDS in a white color thecenter printed circuit board when the truck is put in reverse travel,and changing the LEDS on the center printed circuit board from the whitecolor to the red color when the truck brake is activated after the truckin put in the reverse travel.

A brake light replacement device for a truck cab having an existingexterior facing brake light attached an exterior face of the truck cab,can include a brake light replacement housing being longer in lengththan the existing exterior facing brake light, and having a front sideand a rear side with an adhesive surface, and a plurality of LEDS (lightemitting diodes) in the brake light replacement housing, wherein therear side of the brake light replacement housing is attached to theexterior face of the truck cab by pressing the brake light replacementhousing to the exterior face of the truck cab.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the presently preferredembodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements.

FIG. 1 is an upper front perspective exploded view of the novelreplacement truck cab light system.

FIG. 2 is an upper rear perspective exploded view of the replacementtruck cab light system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the printed circuit boards used onthe light support member shown in FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for the replacement truck cab light systemof FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 5 is an upper front perspective view of the replacement truck cablight system of FIGS. 1-2 assembled.

FIG. 6 is an upper rear perspective view of the assembled replacementtruck cab light system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the assembled replacement truck cab lightsystem of FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the assembled replacement truck cab lightsystem of FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the assembled replacement truck cab light systemof FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the assembled replacement truck cab lightsystem of FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the assembled replacement truck cab lightsystem of FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 12 is a right-side view of the assembled replacement truck cablight system of FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 13A is a prior art view showing the rear of truck with a factorybrake light installed on the upper rear portion of a truck cab.

FIG. 13B is shows the factory brake light removed from the upper rearportion of the truck cab of the truck in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is another view of the rear of the truck cab of the truck ofFIG. 13B with additional fastener holes drilled into the upper rearportion of the truck cab.

FIG. 13D shows the replacement truck light installed on the upper rearportion of the truck cab.

FIG. 14 shows the installation steps for removing the factory installedtruck cab brake light, drilling additional fastener openings into theupper rear portion of the truck cab, and plugging in the wire harnessand attaching the replacement truck light with additional fasteners.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a second embodiment of the assembledreplacement truck cab light system.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the second embodiment of the assembledreplacement truck cab light system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment replacementtruck cab light of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment replacementtruck cab light of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the steps for removing the existing truck cabbreak light and for installing the second embodiment replacement truckcab light system of FIGS. 15-19.

FIG. 21 is another prior art view of an existing break light on the rearcab of a truck.

FIG. 22 is another view of the truck of FIG. 21 with the existing breaklight removed.

FIG. 23 is another view of the truck of FIG. 22 with the secondembodiment replacement truck cab light system installed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention indetail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplications to the details of the particular arrangements shown sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of PreferredEmbodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made toparticular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is tobe understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specificationdoes not include all possible combinations of such particular features.For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of aparticular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can alsobe used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in thecontext of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention,and in the invention generally.

In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled inthe art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and primenotation is used to indicate similar elements in alternativeembodiments.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures anddescription.

It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplaryembodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, theprinciples of the present disclosure may be implemented using any numberof techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosureshould in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations andtechniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale.

A list of components will now be described.

-   1 Replacement light system-   10 elongated housing-   12 raised side edges-   14 additional offset from center opening for rear facing PCB-   16 circular opening for wire harness-   18 housing fastener holes-   20 support member (elongated board)-   25 wire harness 25 which includes a power cord and control lines-   28 support member fastener holes-   30A left printed circuit board (PCB) with color changing LEDs (light    emitting diodes)-   30B center printed circuit board (PCB) with color changing LEDs    (light emitting diodes-   30C right printed circuit board (PCB) with color changing LEDs    (light emitting diodes-   30D rear facing primary printed circuit board (PCB)-   31 transformer-   32 molex connector-   33 capacitor-   34 relay-   35 input-   36 capacitor-   37 integrated circuits-   40 lens cover-   48 cover fastener openings-   50 weather seal strip-   60 fasteners-   70 wiring diagram-   100 Truck-   110 Existing Rear Facing Brake Light-   115 Existing opening(s) in back of truck cab-   200 Second embodiment break light replacement system-   210 elongated housing-   230 LEDs (light emitting diodes)-   240 lens cover-   250 weather seal strip (gasket)-   265 Existing fasteners-   270 Peel & Stick Cover-   280 Adhesive surface

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an upper front perspective exploded view of the novelreplacement truck cab light system 1. FIG. 2 is an upper rearperspective exploded view of the replacement truck cab light system 1 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the rearwardly facing primary printedcircuit boards 30D used on the light support member 20 shown in FIGS.1-2. The primary printed circuit board 30D can include a transformer 31,molex connector 32, capacitor 33, relay 34, input 35, capacitor 36 andintegrated circuits 37 FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram 70 for thereplacement truck cab light system 1 of FIGS. 1-2, that connects theLEDS (light emitting diodes) on the left printed circuit board 30A,center printed circuit board 30B and right circuit board 30C to beconnected to the vehicle power supply, such as the vehicle batterythrough the wire harness 25.

FIG. 5 is an upper front perspective view of the replacement truck cablight system 1 of FIGS. 1-2 assembled. FIG. 6 is an upper rearperspective view of the assembled replacement truck cab light system 1of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a front view of the assembled replacement truck cablight system 1 of FIGS. 5-6. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the assembledreplacement truck cab light system 1 of FIGS. 5-6. FIG. 9 is a top viewof the assembled replacement truck cab light system 1 of FIGS. 5-6. FIG.10 is a bottom view of the assembled replacement truck cab light system1 of FIGS. 5-6. FIG. 11 is a left side view of the assembled replacementtruck cab light system 1 of FIGS. 5-6. FIG. 12 is a right-side view ofthe assembled replacement truck cab light system 1 of FIGS. 5-6.

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the replacement truck cab light system 1 caninclude an elongated housing 10 having raised side edges 12, and aplurality of fastener holes 18 with an additional offset from centeropening 14 for the rear facing primary printed circuit board 30D fromthe support member 20 (which will be described later in further detail)and a circular opening 16 for the wire harness 25 which includes a powercord and control lines 25, that extends from the support board 20.

Positioned on the front face of the housing 10 can be a support board 20with a front side having a left printed circuit board (PCB) 30A withcolor changing LEDs (light emitting diodes) side by side with a centerprinted circuit board (PCB) 30B with color changing LEDs (light emittingdiodes) and side by side with a right printed circuit board (PCB) 30Cwith color changing LEDs (light emitting diodes).

Types of color changing LEDS (light emitting diodes) used in the printedcircuit boards 30A, 308, and 30C and operation of the components in theprinted circuit boards of FIG. 3 and the circuit board of FIG. 4 caninclude components similar to those shown and described in U.S.Published Patent Application No. 2004/0227627 to Li and U.S. PublishedPatent Application No. 2014/0301101 to Russ, which are both incorporatedby reference in their entirety. Additional operation of the LEDS (lightemitting diodes) can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/727,080 filed Oct. 6, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,246,006 to the sameinventors and assignee as the subject patent application, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the replacement lighting system 1 can includesupport member fastener holes 28 that pass through both sides of thesupport member 20. On the rear side of the support member 20 can be theprimary printed circuit board 30D that can extend partially through theadditional opening 14 that is offset from a mid-portion of the housing10. Also, extending rearwardly from the support member 20 can be a wireharness 25 which includes a power cord and control lines for operatingthe LED (light emitting diodes) on the front facing side of the supportmember 20. The wire harness 25 can extend through a circular opening 16in the housing and have a plug or other connection that can be connectedto the vehicle power supply and control switches, and the like, foroperating the replacement light system 1.

A transparent lens cover 40 can be sized to fit over the front face ofthe support member 20 with printed circuit boards with LEDS 30A, 30B and30C. Fastener holes 48 in the lens cover line up with matching fastenerholes 28 in the support member 20 and the housing fastener holes 18 inthe housing 10.

FIG. 13A is a prior art view showing the rear of truck 100 with afactory brake light 110 installed on the upper rear portion of a truckcab.

FIG. 13B is shows the factory brake light 110 removed from the upperrear portion of the truck cab of the truck 100 in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is another view of the rear of the truck cab of the truck 100of FIG. 13B with additional fastener holes 80 drilled into the upperrear portion of the truck cab.

FIG. 13D shows the replacement truck light of the preceding FIG. 1installed on the upper rear portion of the truck cab of the truck 100.

FIG. 14 shows the installation steps for removing the factory installedtruck cab brake light, drilling additional fastener openings into theupper rear portion of the truck cab, and plugging in the wire harness 25and attaching the replacement truck light 1 with fasteners 60.

Referring to FIGS. 1-14, fasteners 60, such as but not limited to flatheaded screws, and the like, can pass through the holes 48, 28 and 18,and allow for the replacement light system 1 to attach directly to theupper exterior rear portion of the truck cab. While some existingfastener openings used for attaching the factory brake light to theupper rear portion of the truck cab, the invention allows for drillingadditional holes into the metal to both sides of the existing openingsin the upper exterior rear portion of the truck cab. Betweenapproximately four to approximately six or more additional holes 80 canbe drilled into the upper rear exterior portion of the truck cab andallow for a more secure and uniform attachment of all of the replacementlight system to the upper exterior rear portion of the truck cab. Anidentical number of holes 80 can be drilled on both sides of theexisting openings 115 that exist. In a preferred embodiment sixadditional holes 80 are drilled into the upper exterior rear portion ofthe truck cab, with three new holes to the left side and three new holesto the right side of the existing openings 115. To seal the replacementlight system 1, an elastomeric type weather strip 50 can be used and besandwiched between a rear face of the support member 20 and the upperexterior rear portion of the truck cab.

The novel replacement light system 1 can function by having the LEDs(light emitting diodes) flash on and off, go into continuous lightemissions, and use different colors, such as but not limited to red toshow braking, and white for safety, and other colors and the like. TheLEDS (light emitting diodes) in the left printed circuit board 30A canbe separately controlled from the LEDS (light emitting diodes) 30B inthe center printed circuit board 30B, and from the LEDS (light emittingdiodes) 30C in the right printed circuit board 30C. Each of the threesections of LEDs in 30A, 30B, 30C can operate independently from oneanother, and also in uniform with one another, or other combinationswith one another.

A preferred embodiment of operating the different sections of LEDS 30A,30B and 30C will now be described.

-   -   1. When breaks are applied in the truck the center light section        of LEDS 30B can emit red color.    -   2. When the truck is put in reverse the center LED's 30B can        light up white & then red as the truck brakes are applied.    -   3. When a bed light switch is activated all LED's 30A, 30B and        30C comes on white.    -   4. When safety lights are activated (switch in cab) all LED's        30A, 30B and 30C can be activated and go into pre-programmed        patterns (strobe, flash, chase, and the like)    -   5. If safety light is active during travel and the truck brakes        are applied the center section 30B will switch to red so that        the 3rd brake light function is still retained.

Other operations can allow for the left LEDS 30A and right LEDS 30C tobe turn on respectively, when left and right vehicle turn signals areused and the like.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a front view of a second embodiment of the assembledreplacement truck cab light system 200. FIG. 16 is a rear view of thesecond embodiment of the assembled replacement truck cab light system200 of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the secondembodiment replacement truck cab light system 200 of FIG. 15. FIG. 18 isa rear perspective view of the second embodiment replacement truck cablight system 200 of FIG. 15. FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view ofthe rear side of the second embodiment replacement truck cab lightsystem 200 of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 15-19, the second embodiment replacement truck cablight system 200 can include an elongated housing 210 similar to thatshown in the previous embodiment and include a front side having lightssources 230, such as LEDS (light emitting diodes) in the housing coveredby a lens cover 240. On the back of the elongated housing 210 caninclude a weather strip (gasket) 250 similar to the weather strip 50referenced in the previous embodiment. Substantially across the rearsurface of the back of the elongated housing 210 can be an adhesivelayer surface 280 within the area bordered by the weather strip (gasket)250. Generally, this adhesive layer surface 280 can be covered by a peeland stick layer 270.

A type of strong long lasting peel and stick tape that can work underextreme cold and extreme heat conditions in both wet and dry conditionscan include but is not limited to 3M® VHB™ Tapes, by 3M.

With the second embodiment 200, existing fasteners 265 that hold theexisting rear brake light 110 can also be used in combination with theadhesive layer surface 280. Also, similar to the previous embodiment, awire harness 25 extending from the break light system 200 which includesa power cord and control lines, can be attached to the existing powersupply and control lines inside of the truck.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the steps for removing the existing truck cabbrake light and for installing the second embodiment replacement truckcab light system 200 of FIGS. 15-19.

FIG. 21 is another prior art view of an existing brake light 110 on therear cab of a truck 100. FIG. 22 is another view of the truck 100 ofFIG. 21 with the existing brake light 110 removed. FIG. 23 is anotherview of the truck of FIG. 22 with the second embodiment replacementtruck cab brake light system 200 installed.

Referring to FIGS. 15-23, an existing rear brake light system 110 can beremoved by unscrewing existing fasteners, 265, such as but not limitedto screws and bolts, from the upper rear cab portion of the truck cab ofthe truck 100. Next, the installer can clean the exposed surface with asolvent, and the like to remove wax and other contaminants, and thelike. Next, the installer can peel off an edge of the peel layer 270 toexpose the adhesive layer 280, and can plug the wire harness 25 to theexisting connections inside of the truck cab. The installed can also usethe existing fasteners 265, such as screws and bolts, and place thosefasteners, into the openings on the front side of the replacement lightsystem 200.

Finally, the installer can position the elongated housing against theupper rear portion of the truck cab and apply pressure, by working fromthe center of the replacement light system 200 out applying pressuremoving out from the center to the front left side and from the center tothe front right side. Finally, the installer can fasten the existingfasteners 265 in place locking the replacement brake light system 200 inplace. When the rear surface of the replacement brake light system 200in pushed against the rear surface of the truck cab, the weather strip250 can become compressed creating a water proof seal across the back ofthe replacement brake light system 200 against the upper rear surfaceportion of the truck cab.

While the embodiments are primarily described for use with trucks 100,the replacement light systems 1, 200 can also be used in otherapplications, such as but not limited to be used with automobiles,watercraft, and the like.

The term “approximately” is similar to the term “about” and can be+/−10% of the amount referenced. Additionally, preferred amounts andranges can include the amounts and ranges referenced without the prefixof being approximately.

Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, variousembodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems,apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from thescope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems andapparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations ofthe systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more,fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more,fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in anysuitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each memberof a set or each member of a subset of a set.

To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on thisapplication in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wishto note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claimelements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or“step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it haspresumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

We claim:
 1. A replacement light system for being attachable to an upperrear facing exterior portion of a truck cab, comprising: an elongatedhousing having a length greater than a height, the elongated housinghaving a front side and a rear side, the elongated housing havinghousing fastener openings passing from the front side to the rear sideof the elongated housing; a plurality of LEDS (light emitting diodes)spaced apart from one another mounted in the front side of the lighthousing; and an adhesive surface on the rear side of the elongatedhousing, being covered by a peelable layer, wherein the peelable layeris removed for allowing the elongated housing to be attached to theupper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab by adhering theexposed adhesive surface to the upper rear facing exterior portion ofthe truck cab.
 2. The replacement light system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a wire harness with power cord and control lines extendingfrom the rear side of the elongated housing for connecting the pluralityof LEDs to a vehicle power supply.
 3. The replacement light system ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated housing further comprises: pluralopenings passing from the front side to the rear side of the elongatedhousing, wherein existing fasteners from an existing brake light systemhaving been removed are usable to further attach the replacement lightsystem in place.
 4. The replacement light system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a weather strip on the rear side of the housing about aperimeter of the adhesive surface on the rear side of the housing. 5.The replacement light system of claim 2, wherein the elongated housingfurther comprises: a power line opening sized to receive the power lineharness therethrough.
 6. The replacement light system of claim 1,further comprising: an elongated lens cover sized to fit over the frontside of the elongated housing, the elongated lens cover having lensfastener openings, wherein existing fasteners attach the housing to theupper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab by attaching thefasteners through the lens fastener openings and through the elongatedhousing.
 7. The replacement light system of claim 3, wherein theexisting fasteners include: four existing fasteners.
 8. The replacementlight system of claim 1, wherein the elongated housing further includes:a left printed circuit board, a center printed circuit board and a rightcircuit board, each positioned side by side on the front side of asupport member for controlling the LEDs mounted to each of the leftprinted circuit board and the center printed circuit board and the rightcircuit board.
 9. The replacement light system of claim 8, furthercomprising: a brake light operation state for only activating the LEDsin a red color on the center printed circuit board, when a truck brakeis activated; a truck bed light operation state for activating all theLEDS in a white color on the left printed circuit board and the centerprinted circuit board and the right circuit board, when a truck bedlight is activated.
 10. The replacement light system of claim 6, furthercomprising: a weather seal located between a perimeter edge of the rearside of the elongated housing and the upper rear facing exterior portionof the truck cab.
 11. A method of replacing an existing brake lightlocated on an upper rear facing exterior portion of a truck cab with areplacement truck light system, the existing brake light having anexisting brake light housing with existing fasteners, comprising thesteps of: removing the existing fasteners holding the existing brakelight housing in place on the upper rear facing exterior portion of thetruck cab in order to remove the existing brake light housing; providingthe replacement brake light system with an elongated housing having alength greater than a height, the length of the elongated housingextends longer than the existing truck elongated light housing that isbeing replaced; the elongated housing having a front side and a rearside, the elongated housing having a plurality of LED (light emittingdiodes) that pass light through the front side of the elongated housing,and the rear side having an adhesive surface, covered by a peelablelayer; peeling the peelable layer from the rear side of the elongatedhousing to expose the adhesive layer; and attaching the replacementbrake light system against the upper rear facing exterior portion of thetruck cab by positioning and pressing the rear side of the elongatedhousing against the upper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: providing aweather strip about a perimeter edge of the adhesive layer on the rearside of the brake light housing; and compressing the weather strip whilethe rear side of the brake light housing is pressed against the upperrear facing exterior portion of the truck cab.
 13. The method of claim11, further comprising the step of: refastening the existing fastenersthrough openings in the elongated housing and into the upper rear facingexterior portion of the truck cab.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising the step of: refastening the existing fasteners throughopenings in the elongated housing and into the upper rear facingexterior portion of the truck cab.
 15. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising the steps of: providing an elongated lens cover sized to fitover the front side of the elongated housing, the elongated lens coverhaving lens fastener openings; and refastening the existing fastenersthrough openings in both the elongated lens and the elongated housingand into the upper rear facing exterior portion of the truck cab. 16.The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: providing aleft printed circuit board, a center printed circuit board and a rightcircuit board, each positioned side by side on the front side of asupport member for controlling the LEDs mounted to each of the leftprinted circuit board and the center printed circuit board and the rightcircuit board.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the stepsof: providing a brake light operation state; and only activating theLEDs in a red color on the center printed circuit board, when a truckbrake is activated.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising thesteps of: providing a truck bed light operation state; and activatingall the LEDS in a white color on the left printed circuit board and thecenter printed circuit board and the right circuit board, when a truckbed light is activated.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingthe step of: providing a reverse track bed light operation state; onlyactivating the LEDS in a white color the center printed circuit boardwhen the truck is put in reverse travel; and changing the LEDS on thecenter printed circuit board from the white color to the red color whenthe truck brake is activated after the truck in put in the reversetravel.
 20. A brake light replacement device for a truck cab having anexisting exterior facing brake light attached an exterior face of thetruck cab, comprising: a brake light replacement housing being longer inlength than the existing exterior facing brake light, and having a frontside and a rear side with an adhesive surface; and a plurality of LEDS(light emitting diodes) in the brake light replacement housing, whereinthe rear side of the brake light replacement housing is attached to theexterior face of the truck cab by pressing the brake light replacementhousing to the exterior face of the truck cab.